3 Must-Have Items to Make Breastfeeding Easier

Tonight as I nursed my 7-month-old to sleep, I texted back and forth with a new mom. Even though I feel like I’m really new to this mom gig, to some, I’ve become an expert. I suppose, after three kids, I’ve now made enough mistakes to warn a few mamas of potential pitfalls!

This friend of mine is in those early days of breastfeeding--those days when you’re still figuring things out and questioning whether to quit and get your body back while simultaneously wishing that you could nurse your little one forever. Let’s face it: Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you. Literally. And, after nursing three kids, I’ve found a few items that make life a bit easier.

Some I discovered with my first child, some with my second, and some, just recently. They aren’t essential, you can definitely breastfeed without them, but these three things definitely made my commitment to breastfeeding more manageable.

A Way To Express Breast Milk

You cannot be with your baby 24/7. I mean, you can, if you want to go crazy, but I don’t recommend it. Once your breastfeeding relationship is established, find a way to express your milk. It’s worth the effort, I promise. Expressing milk gives you the flexibility to leave your baby with a partner, relative or another caregiver, even if it’s just for an hour or two every now and again.

Some moms respond best to a double electric pump. Some moms, like one of my dearest friends on Instagram, could hardly produce anything with an electric pump; but a manual pump left her overflowing with milk. Who would have guessed? Early on, I fell in love with a product called the Milk Saver. It’s a plastic reservoir that tucks into your bra. When you’re nursing on one side, you put it on the other non-nursing side, and it catches your letdown and milk dribbles that would otherwise fill a nursing pad. Some days I would “drip” more than 6 ounces thanks to the Milk Saver!

Your baby will almost always be the most efficient way to empty your breast, but it’s worthwhile to learn how your body best responds to expressing breast milk in other ways, too.

The Right Attire

For starters, know that your initial nursing bra size might not be your forever nursing bra size. When my milk first comes in, I need some of the largest nursing bras out there. At three to four months postpartum, things have calmed down and I can transition to another bra in another size. Then, at six months or so, I’m on the hunt again for a supportive fit. Make sure whichever bras you choose are comfortable -- pinching can actually affect your milk supply! Get sized often by someone who understands nursing bras.

I’ve become a huge fan of buying bras from Nordstrom because they will convert any bra into a nursing bra for a small alteration fee ($16 last I checked!). This opens up your options big time!

Emotional Support

It’s often said that breastfeeding is a special relationship between mom and baby, and it is. But it’s a relationship that requires a lot of outside support, too. Don’t think that you can breastfeed alone. Without adequate support breastfeeding gets lonely, frustrating, and discouraging. Find your tribe, educate your partner, and surround yourself with people who will cheer you towards your breastfeeding goals. If you work outside of the home and pump daily, you need pumping mom friends. If you’re tandem nursing, you need mom friends who are nursing siblings like you are. If you struggle with your supply, find gals who feel your pain and know what to try next.

Becoming part of a breastfeeding support group-- for example, your local La Leche League chapter--even if it’s just for one meeting or online chats--is a good place to start when looking for like-minded women who can offer emotional support, sympathy, and advice.

I know I’m not the only “expert” mom out there, so if you’ve discovered something that you feel every breastfeeding mom needs, comment away!

Wanna catch the inside scoop of Gretchen's life in yoga pants with a handsome husband, chatterbox daughter, and dashing little mister? Stop by her blog, That Mama Gretchen, where she chronicles her days as a natural parent who loves her slow cooker and prays for the afternoon her children decide to nap at the same time!

This story is meant to reflect individual contributors' experiences and does not necessarily reflect What to Expect's point of view. This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment.